BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION
What would break the back of Jim Crow America? What role did education play in the movement to desgregate America?
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Using the the links provided, analyze the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education. Cut and paste the information below into a new entry on your Unit 8 Online Notebook.


BASIC FACTS OF THE CASES (more than one) (check video, Link 1, Link 2, Link 3)

It took place in Topeka Kansas
Led by Charles Houston, and later Thurgood Marshall
Oliver Brown and 13 other parents from Topeka fought against segregation in schools. They were called "Plaintiffs".

MAIN ARGUMENTS OF THE PLAINTIFF (for integration) (check Link 1)
In Brown v. Board, the Plaintiffs were fighting against school segregation, but they also fought against prejudice, discrimination, and stereotypes by their ethnic, religious, physical, or cultural characteristics.

MAIN ARGUMENTS OF THE DEFENDANTS (for segregation) (check Li

  • Constitution didnt require whites and blacks to attend the same schools.
  • Segregation was a regional custom & states should be free to regulate their own social affairs.
  • Segregation was not harmful to black people.
  • Whites were trying their hardest to desegregate these educational systems. But because black children were still living with the effects of slavery, it would take them longer to catch up to the educational level of whites
THE CHANGE IN THE COURT (leading to a decision) (check **Link 1**)
-Many judges did not think the constitution had enough authority to end segregation. They also believed that a decision to integrate schools could not be enforced.
New judge Warren provided leadership to produce a unanimous decision to overturn Plessy.
THE COURT DECISION (in your own words) (check **Link 1** and Link 2)
Warren agreed with the civil rights attorneys that it was not clear in the 14th Amendment if states could establish segregated schools.
ENFORCING THE DECISION (discuss "with all deliberate speed) (Check Link 1)
The Court ordered that states end segregation "with all deliberate speed."
Gave segregationists a chance to organize resistance.

THE IMPACT AND LEGACY (Check **Link 1**)

Americans remained divided on the issue of segregation.
Segregationists underestimated the determination of African Americans.
The movement now includes racial and ethnic minorities, women, and people with disabilities.